High Well School

A good community special school school in Wakefield. Explore Ofsted ratings, admissions information, and performance data for High Well School.

Pontefract, WF82DD Ofsted: Good Age 9-16 Mixed intake
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Performance Score

Overall school rating

75

/ 100

Special weighted harmonic mean of 1 indicators

Indicators used for Special schools

Ofsted inspection outcome
75.0
/ 100 normalized
Weight: 100.0%
Raw: Good

How we weight each phase

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Primary schools

  • KS2 pupils meeting expected standard 40.0%
  • KS2 pupils exceeding expected standard 30.0%
  • Ofsted inspection outcome 30.0%

Secondary schools

  • Progress 8 score 40.0%
  • English & Maths grade 4+ % 30.0%
  • Ofsted inspection outcome 30.0%

All-through schools

  • Progress 8 score 25.0%
  • English & Maths grade 4+ % 20.0%
  • KS2 pupils meeting expected standard 20.0%
  • KS2 pupils exceeding expected standard 15.0%
  • Ofsted inspection outcome 20.0%

Secondary with Sixth Form schools

  • Progress 8 score 20.0%
  • English & Maths grade 4+ % 20.0%
  • Continue in education or training 20.0%
  • Sustained employment 20.0%
  • Ofsted inspection outcome 20.0%

Sixth Form Only schools

  • Continue in education or training 40.0%
  • Sustained employment 30.0%
  • Ofsted inspection outcome 30.0%

Special schools

  • Ofsted inspection outcome 100.0%

Alternative Provision schools

  • Ofsted inspection outcome 100.0%

Independent schools

  • Ofsted inspection outcome 100.0%

Ofsted Inspection

Official inspection outcomes

Good
Overall effectiveness
Good
Last inspected
3 May 2017
Previous grade
Requires Improvement
Quality of education
9
Behaviour & attitudes
9
Personal development
9
Leadership & management
Good
Safeguarding
Effective

Source: Ofsted inspection outcomes. Grades: Outstanding, Good, Requires Improvement, Inadequate.

Contact Information

How to reach this school

Source: GIAS
Address
Rookhill Road
Pontefract, WF82DD
Phone
1924572100
Website
highwellschool.org.uk

Location

Find the school on the map

Source: Geocoding
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School Information

Basic details and characteristics

Source: GIAS
URN
131526
Type
Community special school
Phase
Special
Address
Rookhill Road, Pontefract, WF8 2DD
Website
www.highwellschool.org.uk
Age range
9-16
Gender
Mixed
Religious character
Does not apply
School status
Open
Capacity
110 pupils
Setting
Urban: Nearer to a major town or city
Sixth Form
No
Nursery
No

School Performance Data

Official government statistics

Source: DfE

School Demographics

Total Pupils
106
Free School Meals
73.6% (78 pupils)
Special Educational Needs
100.0% (106 pupils)

Daily Attendance

Attendance Rate
56.1%
Needs improvement
Persistent Absence
78.2%
Missing 10%+ of school days

Calculated Fields

Derived insights and analysis

Source: Calculated

Class Size Information

Average Class Size
6 pupils
Excellent
Pupils per Year Group
13
Average across all year groups
Total School Size
106 pupils
9-16

From the School Website

Information extracted from the school's own website

Source: School Website

Ethos & Values

"Preparing for positive futures"

Be Consistent Be Safe Be Respectful Be Responsible

Religious Education is provided; the Right of Withdrawal from Religious Education allows withdrawal with limitations as described in the school policy on withdrawal from RE.

Head Teacher's Message

Headteacher Heather Fleming welcomes visitors to High Well School, a Local Authority maintained SEND school for ages 9–16. The school aims to prepare every pupil for a positive future by developing academic, social and emotional skills and fostering values such as consistency, safety, respect and responsibility.

Curriculum Highlights

Key Stage 2 Curriculum designed to meet National Curriculum requirements while preparing pupils for transition to Key Stage 3, with emphasis on social and emotional development, early reading, and bridging gaps in foundational knowledge. Key Stage 3 Curriculum follows National Curriculum in Maths, English, Science, PE, Food Technology and Computing, with five weekly sessions for core subjects and SEMH-focused interventions. Key Stage 4 Curriculum includes GCSE English, Mathematics and Science; Functional Skills English, Mathematics & ICT; ASDAN short courses (Employability and Independent Living); Step Up; BTEC Home Cooking Skills L1 & 2; BTEC Sport L1 & 2; Cambridge Nationals iMedia; and option blocks in Sport, Catering, DT and Computing. The social and emotional curriculum (PPF) covers PSHE (including Sex Education), Careers guidance, SMSC, PREVENT, Religious Education, and access to employers/workplaces in line with Gatsby Benchmarks; work placements may be offered in KS4; Wakefield College partnership supports post-16 transitions. Reading emphasis with a phonics-trained reading lead; use of Read Write Inc Fresh Start assessments for decoding and fluency and Hodder Reading test for comprehension; regular reading for pleasure with a school library; baseline assessments and targeted interventions; KS3 comprehension exercises. Careers provision includes a Work Related Learning Coordinator, Independent Careers Advisor, and engagement with employers; activities include ASDAN short courses, extended work placements, employer visits, enterprise projects, and Gatsby Benchmarks-aligned activities; Wakefield College partnership for post-16 transitions; Baker Clause compliance. Interventions and Key Work focus on EHCP outcomes; EHCPs underpin tailored teaching; dedicated Key Work sessions and bespoke tasks for individual pupils as needed. Reading is a school-wide priority; regular phonics screening for those below age expectations; extensive reading interventions; library access; extra provisions such as Reverse the Cycle and Keats Engineering and Education offer practical, employment-style experiences. The social and emotional curriculum includes RSHE, SMSC, RE, PREVENT, and career education; pupils have access to outside agencies such as Spectrum; preparation for adulthood is integrated throughout the curriculum; Gatsby Benchmarks are met.

SEND Provision

All pupils have an Education Health and Care Plan (EHCP). Key Work and Intervention sessions are scheduled for all classes to address the needs identified in EHCPs.

Admissions Criteria

Admissions are co-ordinated by Wakefield Local Authority through the Special Needs Assessment and Review Team (SENaRT). Decisions on pupil eligibility are made on a case-by-case basis by Wakefield’s Education, Health and Care Plan Panel, who consult with High Well School on whether the school can meet the individual pupil’s needs. All pupils have an EHCP. Open evenings for prospective families are held on the first Tuesday of every month.

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